Feds to look into Sheriff Scott's comment at Palin rally

[Cass]

I posted this over in LBN but wanted to let you guys know about this. Good news!

2:02 p.m. update
A federal investigation is being opened into the actions and comments of Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott at a rally for Gov. Sarah Palin in Estero on Monday.

Erica S. Hamrick, senior attorney at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, wrote in to complainant Carl Spackler that due to his complaint, her office will be investigating under the Hatch Act, which governs political activities of certain elected officials.

The complainant stated the sheriff violated that act because the sheriff’s office receives federal money, engaged in political activity while on duty, engaged in political activity while in uniform, wore political buttons while on duty and used political influence or authority to interfere with an election.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS0107/81006002&s=d&page=3#pluckcomments

[faithfulcitizen]

1. Awesome! REC.

[myrna minx]

2. Good! K&R n/t

[DJ13]

3. PWND

sorry, wrong thread

[Zookeeper]

4. K&R. n/t

[pinto]

5. Good to hear. He thought he'd get away with it. Accountability matters.

:kick:

[Greyskye]

6. heh.

:kick: & R

[weezie1317]

7. Good!

[kwolf68]

8. Awesome

Chalk up one for righteousness.

[ITsec]

9. Penalties for violating the Hatch act...

An employee who violates the Hatch Act shall be removed from their position, and funds appropriated for the position from which removed thereafter may not be used to pay the employee or individual. However, if the Merit Systems Protection Board finds by unanimous vote that the violation does not warrant removal, a penalty of not less than 30 days' suspension without pay shall be imposed by direction of the Board.

http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm#penalties

I think either way he's screwed.

[Tesla]

10. K&R!!!

[Hepburn]

11. Totally fabulous! Wish I could rec this thread 1,000 times!

:bounce: :applause:

[Jokerman]

12. "Carl Spackler" is a character from "Caddyshack". n/t

[FatDave]

26. Hmmm.... I wonder if he's head groundskeeper yet. (nt)

[NotThisTime]

13. Excellent news!

[kayakjohnny]

14. Good. Now let's get those same Feds to look into McCain/Palin's inciting violence and hate against

a legitmate candidate for US public office.

[dchill]

15. K&R

[kestrel91316]

16. Does the Hatch Act apply to state or county employees?

I thought it only applied to federal employees.

Sigh. That would be sad, because this guy needs a can of WHOOP ASS.

[garlicmilkshake]

19. I'm pretty sure it applies to officials of agencies that receive federal funds.

We shall see...

[kestrel91316]

20. Oh. Heeheehee. That would do it.

[Cass]

23. Look like it does. This is what they said in the article:

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel addresses the Hatch Act as it pertains to local officials on their Web site, which states the following:

“The Hatch Act applies to executive branch state and local employees who are principally employed in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a federal agency. Employees who work for educational or research institutions which are supported in whole or in part by a State or political subdivision of the State are not covered by the provisions of the Hatch Act.

“Employees of private nonprofit organizations are covered by the Hatch Act only if the statute through which the organization receives its federal funds contains language which states that the organization shall be considered to be a state or local agency for purposes of the Hatch Act, e.g., Headstart and Community Service Block Grant statutes.

“An employee’s conduct is also subject to the laws of the state and the regulations of the employing agency. Additionally, employees should be aware that the prohibitions of the Hatch Act are not affected by state or local laws.”

[garlicmilkshake]

17. Sure, the scum sheriff absolutely violated the law but the damage is done and nothing will happen

to him.
:grr:

[FrenchieCat]

18. It may help for in the future.....

if nothing else.

A message needs to be sent out, that it can't be business as usual coming from the GOP quarters.

[uponit7771]

21. nice

[SunsetDreams]

22. K&R!!!

[lib2DaBone]

24. Awesome! Republicans.. the party of Responsibility! (at last)

[Blue Diadem]

25. He's a Sheriff in uniform and he doesn't think he's representing his office?

He's quite the cocky a$$hole. Everyone knows why a republicon uses Obama's full name.

That guy is a typical repub, thinks he can do whatever he wants with no repercussions. We all know how he'd react if one of his deputies wore their uniform and stood in front of an audience and supported his opponent.

I'm glad the Feds are looking into it.

[liberalla]

27. YES!!!

:kick:

[BlooInBloo]

28. Fucking worthless piece of shit cops.

[ElboRuum]

29. Carl Spackler?

You mean the assistant greenskeeper from Caddyshack?

I'm sure he's made head greenskeeper by now. :crazy: